Rockford AirFest

On Sunday afternoon Chris volunteered for American Airlines to help give tours of their new 737-800 at the Rockford AirFest. Since Chris is an employee and was helping out, Matthew and I also got into the AirFest, and we were able to take some pretty cool photos hanging out in the cockpit, and around the plane. It was such a unique opportunity to see it so up close, and be able to take the pictures we did. The AirFest was amazing. We both didn't realize how big it was, and were in awe of the Raptor and it's aerobatics!

The new 737-800...

Chris and Matthew playing with a balloon on the tarmac...

Kid in a candy store, so many buttons for Matthew to push!

We finally got a decent family shot in the cockpit...

I LOVE this shot, probably my favorite of the day!

1st Boat Ride

Matthew had his first boat ride yesterday and he loved it! We went up to Lake Mills, WI for a good part of the day, and Chris's friend Steve was nice enough to take us out for a spin around the lake.


All smiles!

Steve, Chris, and Matthew enjoying their time on the water...

Boone County Fair

On Thursday evening we went to the Boone County Fair as a family. It was a lot of fun watching Matthew look at all the animals. Every animal made the "grunting" moo noise to him. We even splurged and split an elephant ear between the three of us. Great weather and a great time was had by all!

Matthew telling a rather large cow "all about it"...

Petting a cow...

Mmmm, roasted corn on the cob!

Looking at the sheep...

The highlight of the evening for Matthew was playing with the John Deere toys...He looks good on a Deere!

Uncle Bud

My Uncle Bud (my mother's brother), passed away unexpectedly this past Wednesday. As my Father put it: "Bud was a fine man...always positive...always a smile...always wanted to talk." He will be dearly missed, but we rejoice in the fact that we know where he is. He loved the Lord, which was evident by his life.

One of my favorite pictures of Bud, being pulled by his dog on a "walk". This is circa mid '80's, and made the Newburg, IN paper...

My mother with her parents and siblings, Patsy and Bud, at their 60th wedding anniversary get together. This was taken in 1986.

Pi Phi's Reunite!

On Wednesday Chris, Matthew and I went into Schaumburg for a little shopping at IKEA and Woodfield Mall. We also met my friend Elaine from college, and her family, at P.F. Changs for dinner. It was so nice to see each other after 12 years! We had a great time despite our wild yet adorable munchkins...:o)

Elaine and I...

Playing with chopsticks, and Matthew having fun at the play area in Woodfield Mall...


Claire hugging Matthew, and Sam teaching him to "high five"...

Corn Salad

My friend Elaine (who I'm hoping to see after 12 years this Wednesday!), came up with this incredibly yummy corn salad. She calls it Iowa Corn Salad after receiving most of the produce from family in Iowa. I highly recommend it. I served it the other night with pork chops and sliced avacado.

Iowa Corn Salad
4 ears corn, cooked and then cut from cob
1 tomato, seeded & chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 banana pepper, seeded & diced
1/2 cucumber, seeded & diced
1 green onion, chopped
handful of cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup salted peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
1 1/2 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. rice vinegar
2 tsp. olive oil
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

Just mix it all up, adding the peanuts and goat cheese crumbles last, and enjoy!

Matthew's First Artwork

Filling the Pool

Matthew being cute while filling his pool all by himself...

Play Group Slide Show

My first attempt at a slide show with Picnik...

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

Play Group Fun

On Tuesday our play group met at Kristin Schmidt's house for a fun summer gathering. Kristin served a yummy casserole, and the kids had a blast with the sand pit, kiddie pool, sprinkler, and play set. It was bitter sweet because it was Sandy and Jeremiah's last time at group. They are moving to Wausau, WI next week. We will miss you guys!!

Sandy and Jeremiah...


Arianna going down the slide with Liam and Matthew, and sprinkler fun!


Attempt at group shot...We gave them pretzels to stay in one place, notice Matthew is standing over the bowl and stuffing his face!

Inger's Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

I have been meaning to post this recipe for awhile. We had this at our friend's house the Plummers a few weeks ago, and I made it again this week. So simple, yet so tasty! Thanks Inger for a great recipe!

The end product...

The bundles wrapped in bacon, then doused with soy sauce and topped with brown sugar...

Inger's Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

1-2 bunches of Asparagus
bacon
Soy Sauce
Brown Sugar

Take the Asparagus & cut it in 1/2, then bundle 2-3 asparagus spears & wrap w/ a strip of bacon. Place in a low sided baking dish (I use a Jelly Roll pan). I can fit 12 + bundles in a pan like this. Then pour Soy Sauce over all of the bunches. Sorry, I don't measure (Chris says I use "the Force"). hint: for 2 bunches of Asparagus I might use 1/2 a bottle of soy sauce. Then I put a spoon of brown sugar on the top of each bunch. Bake in oven @ 400-425 for 30-45 mins. You want the bacon to cook up & the asparagus will just soak up the juices.

(Recipe courtesy of Inger on Facebook...)

Constipated??

Here is Matthew being his usual goofy self, discovering his voice, and all the funny sounds and faces he can make. This new one made us laugh quite a bit...it was video worthy for sure.

Festa Italiana

Boy, two food festivals in one week...heaven for me, ha! Every year we make our way to Festa Italiana at the Boylan Catholic High School grounds for some good old fashioned Italian food and entertainment. Since Chris is a quarter Italian, and went to Boylan, he has been going to this festival since he was a kid. Yesterday evening we went, and had a great time. We were pleased that Matthew liked all the food as well! We ate some toasted ravioli, arancini (fried rice ball made out of risotto, and filled with meat, peas, and cheese), meatball sandwich, fried zucchini, sfingi (fried sweet dough balls), and lemon granita ice. I have had my fill of fried foods for the week!

The band Men of our Times performing (Chris's cousin Pat is in it), the food tents, and dancers...
Some of the food (only I am dorky enough to take pictures of the food), and Matthew eating a bite of the arancini like a little bird...
Chris and Matthew posing by the granita stand...
Matthew watching the dancers with Grandma Doherty...

Greek Fest

This past Sunday we went to the Greek Fest here in Rockford. There was lots of yummy food! Matthew really like the pork kabobs and pita bread. Here are a few pics from the event...gotta love some baklava!